Matriarchátust

Matriarchátust is a theoretical social system where women hold primary power in political leadership, moral authority, social privilege, and control of property. In such a society, family lineage would be traced through the mother, and men would be subordinate. The concept of matriarchy is often contrasted with patriarchy, the more commonly observed social system where men hold predominant positions.

The existence of true matriarchal societies in history is a subject of debate among anthropologists and historians. While some cultures exhibit strong female leadership or matrilineal descent, whether these constitute full matriarchies is questioned. Often, these systems are described as matrilocal, meaning couples reside with the wife's family, or matrilineal, where inheritance and ancestry are traced through the female line, rather than strictly matriarchal where women hold ultimate political and social power.

The idea of matriarchy has also been explored in feminist theory, sometimes as a hypothetical ideal of a more egalitarian or equitable society, or as a historical stage of human development preceding patriarchy. Archaeological and anthropological evidence for early matriarchal societies remains inconclusive and is often interpreted through various theoretical lenses. The term itself can carry different connotations, ranging from a literal description of social structure to a symbolic representation of female empowerment.